Multi-Axle EV Drive Control for Axle Load and Traction Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-axle-driving electrified vehicles without inter-axle differentials, axle load distribution changes lead to increased energy loss and potential wheel idling, affecting traction and fuel efficiency on irregular surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A drive control device that includes an axle load distribution change control unit and a drive control unit to adjust the driving forces of multiple driving axles based on axle load distribution, using air suspensions and electric motors to manage ground-contact pressure and prevent idling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If axle load distribution is changed to improve traction on irregular surfaces, then ground-contact pressure of wheels increases, but energy loss increases excessively and electric power consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetractionVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the driving forces of individual electric motors based on real-time axle load distribution. When axle load changes occur, the control unit modifies motor output accordingly, ensuring optimal traction while minimizing energy waste from idle wheel rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors axle load distribution and uses this feedback to adjust the driving forces of the electric motors. This closed-loop control ensures that driving forces are optimized according to actual load conditions, preventing energy loss from wheel idling while maintaining effective traction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If axle load distribution is changed to improve traction, then ground-contact pressure increases, but wheel idling occurs at higher rotation speed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetractionVSAvoidwheel rotation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the driving forces of individual electric motors based on real-time axle load distribution. When axle load changes occur, the control unit modifies motor output accordingly, ensuring optimal traction while minimizing energy waste from idle wheel rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the operating parameters (driving forces) of the electric motors in response to axle load distribution changes. By adjusting motor torque output according to actual load conditions, the system prevents wheels from idling at high speeds while maintaining necessary traction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If independent driving axles are used without inter-axle differential, then vehicle complexity is reduced, but driving forces cannot be adjusted when axle load distribution changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle structureVSAvoiddriving force adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical inter-axle differential system with independent electric motors for each driving axle. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical differentials while enabling electronic control of driving forces, achieving both structural simplification and enhanced adaptability through software-based force distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the operating parameters (driving forces) of the electric motors in response to axle load distribution changes. By adjusting motor torque output according to actual load conditions, the system prevents wheels from idling at high speeds while maintaining necessary traction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4147895B1Drive control device
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 HINO MOTORS LTD
  • EP4147895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4147895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4147895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drive control device for a multi-axle-driving electrified vehicle including a first driving axle that is rotationally driven by a first electric motor and a second driving axle that is rotationally driven by a second electric motor includes: an axle load distribution change control unit configured to perform axle load distribution change control for changing an axle load distribution for the first driving axle and the second driving axle; and a drive control unit configured to control operations of the first electric motor and the second electric motor. The drive control unit is configured to perform driving force change control for changing driving forces of the first electric motor and the second electric motor when the axle load distribution change control unit performs the axle load distribution change control.